Radio Show Recap
This week in your lawn & garden:
- Trimming Damaged Tips | It’s still a good time to trim the tips of shrubs damaged from winter die-back (Japanese Maples, Hydrangeas, etc.). You can also heavily prune hollies, boxwoods, taxus, and junipers.
- Preventing Crabgrass | There’s still time (about 1 week) to prevent annual crabgrass from sprouting in the lawn, but it needs to be done asap because soil temperatures are warming, which is perfect for germination of this annual weed seed. Apply Scotts® STEP® 1 (use STEP 1 “for seeding” if planning to sow grass seed this season). SHOP Crabgrass Preventer
- Seeding the Lawn | It’s a great month to renovate the lawn. To over-seed: Mow low to about 1″, rent a de-thatcher, sink its blades 3/4″ deep, run it both ways, and clean up the debris. Then, all at the same time, apply your grass seed, Lightning Lime™, fertilizer (Scotts® Step 1 for Seeding), and GrubEx® (if grubs are a problem), and water it in. READ Seeding the Lawn
- Splitting Perennials | It’s a good time to split and re-plant most perennials. First, prepare new holes, amending the soil with fresh Petitti Planting Mix and adding Bio-tone® at the bottom of the holes. Then, dig up the perennial clump, split it in 2-3 pieces, and re-plant. Mulch for moisture and weed control. For Peonies and Iris, wait until late July or August to do this. WATCH Splitting Perennials
- Planting Cold Crops | You can feel comfortable installing cold crops outside in the garden now like leafy lettuces, cabbages, broccoli, and others. This includes any seedlings you started indoors or starter plants you’re finding now in the garden center that are considered “cold crops”. READ Cold Crops vs. Warm Plants
- Protecting Ornamental Trees & Shrubs | Prevent common problems!
- Protect your roses from pests and disease by applying Bonide® Rose Shield™ drench now.
- Protect ornamental trees by applying Bonide® Annual® Tree & Shrub after blooming.
- SHOP Insect/Disease Controls
- Spraying Fruit Trees | Plan to spray your fruit trees after they’re done flowering, not while they’re in bloom, with Bonide Orchard Spray®. Wait until you see that the spring flower petals have fallen, then spray the trees on a dry day as directed. READ Fruit Tree Treatment Schedule
- Deterring Deer | Deer are feeding on newly emerging plants. Sprinkle Plantskydd® granules around plants as they sprout, and switch to misting with Plantskydd® spray, once leaves have flushed out. READ Deer Resistant Gardening
- Planting Perennials, Trees & Shrubs | Plant hardy plants with confidence now. Follow Angelo’s 6 Steps for Success, using Bio-tone® starter fertilizer, for best establishment and healthy growth. Install plants to a depth that’s 2-3″ above the grade of the bed, which helps with drainage. READ 6 Steps for Success